Lady Oilers surprising everyone, including coach

Coached by Laneigh Clark, Pearland High School’s Lady Oilers softball team is made up of six seniors — two of which are actually starters — four juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen. That list easily makes this team one of the youngest Top 10 teams in the state.

This squad of younguns, lead by the sophomore pitcher Jessica Bowden (21-1-1), has surprised everyone by winning its district and advancing to the fourth rounds of the playoffs. Even their coach is surprised.

Are you?

Clark said she thought the team, at best, would finish in the middle of the pack in district play without a chance at any postseason games. Boy, was she wrong. In fact, her team not only dominated in district with only one loss, but they are now competing for the regional title and a bid to play in the state tournament in Austin.

Before the Lady Oilers (34-6, 13-1) can advance, they have to get past the Clear Creek Lady Wildcats (32-11, 12-3) by winning two of three this week at Cougar Softball Field on the University of Houston campus. They won the first game, 6-2, on Thursday. One more ‘W’ — and this team is statebound.

Can the Lady Oilers go all the way?

I don’t see why the Lady Oilers can’t just win the whole dang enchilada. Since the postseason began, six of the nine players in their batting order are hitting over .300. One girl is hitting over .400 and another over .500. Coach Clark has seven lefties and two righties. The two righties hit for power, while the others use speed and slap-hitting for easy hits and quickness around the bases.

Clark says the Lady Wildcats capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes, so she’s crossing her fingers so that her team will play as mistake-free as possible.

I was at the game and CC was no match for Pearland. The small ball game that Pearland displayed was outstanding. CC had no answer for that type of game. I predict that Pearland has a chance to go all the way.